ABC TELEVISION NETWORK RINGS IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH “I WANT A DOG FOR CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN!,” MONDAY, DEC. 15

This holiday season ABC will again air the “PEANUTS” Christmas special, “I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!,” produced and animated by the same team that has gave us the other, now classic cartoon specials based on Charles M. Schulz’s famed comic strip. “I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!” will air MONDAY, DECEMBER 15 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on The ABC Television Network (Rebroadcast. OAD: 12/9/03)

Editors note: This program will repeat Saturday, December 20 from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET.

“I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!” centers on ReRun, the lovable but ever-skeptical younger brother of Linus and Lucy. It’s Christmas vacation and, as usual, ReRun’s big sister is stressing him out, so he decides to turn to his best friend, Snoopy, for amusement and holiday cheer. However his faithful but unpredictable beagle companion has plans of his own, giving ReRun reason to ask Snoopy to invite his canine brother Spike for a visit. When Spike shows up, it looks like ReRun will have a dog for Christmas after all… but then the real trouble begins.

“PEANUTS” focuses on the anxieties and joys of childhood as expressed by an ensemble cast of children who often seem wise beyond their years. Among them are the lovable Charlie Brown, who perseveres despite continuous failure; the philosophical, blanket-carrying Linus; the fussbudget Lucy, who dispenses psychological advice for a nickel from behind a concession stand; and toy-piano virtuoso Schroeder. Central to the comic strip is Charlie Brown’s dog, Snoopy, who first stood on his hind legs in 1956 and became extremely popular for his imaginative adventures as a number of characters.

“I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!” was executive-produced by Lee Mendelson. The animation was produced by Bill Melendez and directed by Bill Melendez and Larry Leichlite. The music was written by Vince Guaraldi and David Benoit and performed and arranged by David Benoit. Animation is by Eddy Houchins, Shawn Cashman and Dave Brain.